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G. B. Humclsv su E. PV. DMNLBY.I METLLI FLOOR CONSTRUCTION Nq. 523,143. Patented July 17,1894.

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ZYZLE'N'I'HSI l ffm iw NITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

GEORGE B. FRANCIS AND .EDWIN P. DAWLEY, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE` ISLAND. I

M ETALLlC-FLOOR CONSTRUCTION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent-No. 523,143, dated July 17, 1894.

v Application filed February 28, 1894. SerialNo. 501797. (No model.) v

To @ZZ whom t may concern.-

Be it known that we, GEORGE B. FRANoIs and EDWIN P. DAWLEY, of Providence, inthe county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metallic- Floor Construction; and we hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanyitng drawings, forming part of this speciiicaion.

This invention has reference to improvements in metallic floor construction and particularly in floors for. buildings and bridges.

One object of the invention isA to so construct a metallic floor formed of a succession of troughs `that simple water-tight bottoms may be provided for the troughs.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the metallic portions, of which the floor is formed, that the cost of manufacture will be reduced.

Still another object is to so construct the lower sections of a iiooring, of the nature herein described, that the same maybe secured to the upper sections or side plates without the necessity of making rivet holes in the bottom plates of th'ese sections.

Still further the object of the invention is Y to so construct the sections of which a floor of this nature is composed that enlarged smooth bearing surfaces will be provided to bear on the supporting structure and to afford a support for the superstructure.

Another object of the invention is to provide members from which trough-shaped Iioor sections may be constructed having a greater depth at their longitudinal centers than at the ends.

The invention consists in the combination with two angle plates each having a narrow tion of a U-shaped member, straight, dat side plates riveted to the sides of the U-shaped member, angle plates riveted to the side plates b and yto a top plate.

Figure l represents a plan view of portions of a iiooring showing the improved construction. Fig. 2 represents an end view of the same. Fig. 3 represents an end View showing a modification thereof. Fig. 4 represents a side View of a modified form of one of the inverted trough sections showing the adaptability of this construction to lioors formed of trough-shaped sections and having a greater depth at the longitudinal or spancenter than at the ends.

Similar numbers of reference designate corresponding parts throughout.

In ordinary flooring Where it is not necessary to produce a flooring having troughs with water-tight bottoms, but where it is desirable to secure a greater depth of trough at the span center than at the ends we construct the trough of upper and lower sections each members 7 and short members 8 bent at an angle from the long members and secured together in pairs by cap-plates l0 and bolts 1l11, the edges of the cap-plates extending to or slightly beyond the bends between the members 7 and 8. Secured to the members 7 of the alternate upper and lower sections thus composed, the lower sections'being inverted to form the bottoms of the troughs, are the side-plates 13 which are Wider than the members 7 andare adjusted in relation thereto so that any bend in the length of these members not exceeding vthe width of the same will be closed by the side plates, where it becomes necessary to increase the depth of the troughs additional side plates may be securedbetween the oppositely-extending members 7, the upper edges of these plates being secured to the outer surface of the members 7 or of the sideplates 13 extending therefrom,while the lower edges of the sideY plates are secured to the inner surfaces of the side plates next below or of the members 7 thus producing ashingle ef-V The invention also consists in the combina- ['75 section being composed of plates having long .roo-

inverted sections of single pieces having bot tom-plates 5 and inclined sides 6-6. These side-plates 6 6 are secured to the lower edges of the side-plates 13 by the bolts 14 in a deep trough while the upper edges of the side plates 13 are secured to the members 7 by the bolts 9, thus lproducing a trough with a water-tight bottom without the undue extension ofthe side-plates 6G which are difficult and expensive to form when combined with the bottomplate 5 beyond six inches in width, the sideplates 13 serving to extend the same to a y practical degree for this purpose. B v the use of these lower sections We provide a smooth, fiat bearing surface which is adapted to rest firmly on a supporting structure and the boltholes being made in the upper portions of the side-plates 6--6 are above the normal water level in the bottom section.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In a metallic trough-shaped floor construction, the combination with upper sections consisting of cap-plates, bent plates having short members secured to the cap-plates, and depending outwardlyinclined longer members, of inverted sections forming the struction, the combination with upper see.

tions formed of bent plates having the members 7 and 8, and the cap-plates 10 to which the members 8 are secured, of a lower section formed with a bottom-plate 5 having integral inclined sides 6-6, andthe side-plates 13 secured to the sides 6-46 and to the members 7-7 of the upper sections adapted to extend the depth of the troughs, as described.

In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands.

GEORGE B. FRANCIS. EDWIN P. DAWLEY. Witnesses:

HENRY J. MILLER, JOSEPH A. MILLER, Jr. 

